D.C. trash collection efforts thwarted due to extended cold snap

After an extended bout of subzero cold weather led to a delay in garbage collection, D.C. is launching a massive effort to clean up the streets. Extra cleanup crews from the Department of Public Works will be on hand this weekend, plus the city is hiring nearly forty temporary workers. Thirty trucks from private companies will be added to the regular DPW vehicle fleet. The program has support from union leadership with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. About thirty percent to forty percent of trash has gone uncollected over the past two weeks due to severe, icy conditions, especially in alleys. The plan is to salt the dangerous spots and pick up all the garbage that has been left behind. Trash will be co-mingled, and recycled to speed up the process. The Bowser administration is promising to have the job finished sometime before the end of the weekend. Total costs of the cleanup are estimated to be somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000.